“Every landing you can walk away from is a good landing.”

In this compelling episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley sits down with George Nowik for a candid conversation about his remarkable brush with death during his high school years. The episode begins with George, an audio professional, showcasing his expertise by helping Tracy adjust her microphone settings, immediately establishing his technical background before diving into his powerful personal story.

George recounts how a seemingly mundane teenage fashion choice – wearing thick, non-breathable jump boots found at a thrift store – led to a life-threatening situation. He details the progression of what started as a typical case of athlete’s foot, describing how it evolved into something far more serious. The story takes a dramatic turn when he describes watching red lines trailing up his leg, a symptom his mother fortunately recognized as dangerous upon her unexpectedly early return from a business trip.

The narrative becomes particularly intense as George describes his emergency hospital experience, including powerful moments like the intake nurse’s questions and his drift in and out of consciousness. He recalls the chilling moment of overhearing doctors tell his mother he wasn’t responding to treatment, later learning he was suffering from a staph infection that had progressed to blood poisoning.

“Our tenuous connection to living and breathing is so fragile.”

Throughout the episode, George reflects on the serendipitous timing of his mother’s early return home and how this event forced him to confront his mortality at a young age. This near-death experience gained additional context as he reveals that during each year of his high school career, one of his classmates passed away from various causes, including car accidents and a sudden brain aneurysm. These parallel experiences of loss and survival shaped his perspective on life’s fragility.

The conversation takes a poignant turn as George discusses the immediate impacts of his illness, including having to withdraw from the school’s pit orchestra, where he played violin. This seemingly minor consequence becomes a metaphor for the larger interruptions that life-threatening situations can cause, with George noting how, even while seriously ill, he was concerned about missing this important activity.

Tracy and George explore the lasting impact of such experiences, discussing how confronting mortality at a young age changes one’s perspective. They share insights about gratitude and the importance of appreciating each day, with George offering the aviation-inspired wisdom that “every landing you can walk away from is a good landing” – a metaphor that extends beyond its literal meaning to encompass life’s various challenges and recoveries.

The episode skillfully weaves together themes of teenage invincibility, the random nature of life and death, the importance of being present, and the lasting impact of near-death experiences. George’s story serves as a powerful reminder of life’s unpredictability and the importance of recognizing and appreciating the second chances we’re given.

Through George’s engaging storytelling and Tracy’s thoughtful questioning, listeners are invited to reflect on their own mortality, the role of chance in our lives, and the importance of maintaining perspective about what truly matters. The episode concludes with a sense of gratitude and awareness about the precious nature of life, encouraging listeners to appreciate each day as the gift it is.

About George Nowik

After stumbling from a variety of different jobs over the course of the years, George finally made his way back home permanently to the family business of durable medical equipment at Pacific Medical Systems, Inc. now celebrating its 50th year in business.  

In addition to this, he has been running – we use the term loosely because really, nobody likes cardio – his passion business in the field of audio work that covers voiceover, album mixing, session recording, and a variety of other audio odds and ends.  

When not trying to figure out how to squeeze a few extra hours out of the day, he loves driving his family bonkers in public and in private. 

George’s Links

• Website: https://georgenowik.com
• Website: http://www.pacificmsi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nalrogftw/

About Tracy Crowley

Tracy Crowley has always been an entrepreneur. Whether it was making gowns for fellow Army wives, taking portraits in black and white, or working on her other businesses, she is always learning something new.

That passion for learning something new and giving something back collide nicely in this podcast.

Join Tracy for Good Life Stories, where simple curiosity brings out great stories, every single time.

Check out Tracy’s new book! https://tracycrowley.life/